Ch 10

"Ellen, we need to talk, could you spare me 5 minutes please?"

Frank didn't ask Ellen to talk very often, but she wasn't too surprised. Ranger had obviously had something on his mind and she knew that Frank would talk to her about it when he was good and ready.

"What do you really think of Morelli?" he asked, taking her hand and sitting them both down at the dining table. He looked at her intensely, hoping she'd give him an honest answer. Ellen had many faults but underneath it all she was a good woman and he still loved her.

"Well, he hasn't always been a favourite of mine and pre-21 I'd have said he was a complete S-O-B. Seems like he's pulled himself together and isn't taking after his father though. I kinda like him. Why?"

"Well, do you want him as a son in law?" He continued.

"I thought I did, but him and Steph have had so many break ups that I can't really see him in Steph's future. I know I've often wished out loud that Steph would settle down, get married and have kids with him, but in recent months I've realised he's not the one. I thought Dickie was right for her and look what happened there. I don't know if she's cut out for what this neighbourhood sees as acceptable - she's certainly not as a typical "Burg" girl, that's for sure." She looked at him intensely, realising where Frank's line of questioning was taking him.

Frank nodded, approving of what she'd said, and took a deep breath before continuing. "What about Ranger?"

"Hmmm. That's a good question. If the 'Burg' gossips are anything to go by he's a thug and a killer, but there's something about him. Steph obviously sees him as a good friend and I'm sure some of her break ups with Joe have been because of him. I could even see Steph falling for him. He just seems very closed off. Quite sad, really. He'd make a great catch if he really is the gentleman he behaves like when he comes here. He even puts up with my Mother's hands." She laughed at the last comment, before adding "what did you two talk about the other day?"

Frank leaned forward and kissed her and Ellen was so surprised she forgot what she was asking and kissed him back. PDA's were unheard of in the Plum household so it completely caught her by surprise.

At that moment, Edna walked through the front door and clicked her teeth at them both before heading for the kitchen. Frank quickly got up and left before any more could be said.

o0o0o0o0o

Luckily Ranger had finished his 'ministrations' and was lying on his bed when the phone rang, it was Tank. "Mr Plum on Line 1" he said. Ranger pushed the intercom button next to his bed and said thanks before taking the call.

"Hello, Frank"

Hi, son" came the reply

"How about a party?"

"Sorry? Pardon?"

"Ellen's birthday is coming up and I thinking of throwing her a surprise party. We could have karaoke too which could give you the opportunity to tell Steph how you feel through a song and if it doesn't work then you could blame it on me and I could say I chose the song for you so you would have a get-out clause"

Ranger thought for a second and then said "When?"

"Week on Friday, 20 hundred hours, I've booked Andrelli's, all sorted"

"That could work" Ranger said cautiously as a smile spread over his face.

o0o0o0o0o

"Pumpkin have you got a minute?" Frank asked.

"Sure, Dad. What's up?" came the reply.

"You know it's your Mother's birthday next week, well I thought we could have a bit of a party. Andrelli's, 8.00. Next Friday. Thought I'd liven it up with a bit of Karaoke. Hope you can make it."

"Sure thing, Dad. Is there anything I can do?"

"No, all sorted, perhaps Mary Lou and some of your other friends could come too?"

"Great idea, Dad"

"Good, see you next Friday. Oh, by the way, don't mention it to your Mum, it's a surprise. Perhaps it would be a good idea to avoid having dinner here before hand. You know how she gets wind of things..."

"See you then, Dad, love you, Bye"

"Love you too, Pumpkin, bye". Frank chuckled to himself, the plan was coming together. Now where was that daft old bat when you needed her?

o0o0o0o0o

"Right, so the plan is to sing to her then? Can you even sing"

"Yep to both" Ranger replied, popping the p.

"And what exactly did you plan to sing?"

"Ah, that's where you come in."

"Right, so you've really thought about this then?"

"Nope" he replied, popping the p again. Mind's been too busy thinking about something else, he thought with a mental shrug.

"OK, so do you want romantic? Funny? Angsty?"

"I don't know," Ranger said with a hint of exasperation in his voice "Like I said, that's where you some in, Les"

"OK, so what about we go for a real humdinger and spill your heart out?"

"Frank did mention that if the song I chose back fired then he'd take the blame for it," he admitted, sheepishly.

"Fucking A!!"

"Yeah, I thought so too!!"

"But we need to work on Steph so that she takes on board what you're saying rather than throws you to the lions. We need to soften her up a bit, get her used to the idea. Didn't you tell her that she was entertainment and a line on your budget?"

"Yeah, I was such an ass"

"I'll say" Lester said sniggering.

"Are you going to help me or just laugh at me. I'm a desperate man, Santos!" Ranger looked desperate too, Lester thought to himself. Oh boy, he was so going to enjoy this 'assignment'